History is often written in moments of profound decision when leaders choose unity over division, inclusion over exclusion, and the collective good over narrow interests. Today, we are witnessing one such moment in Kaduna state. The decision of Governor Uba Sani to nominate Mr. Jerry Adams as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election is not merely a political calculation; it is a declaration, a Kaduna July Declaration that signals the restoration of our state’s lost glory and the return to the cherished values of inclusivity, justice, and shared belonging.

For decades, Kaduna state operated an unwritten power sharing arrangement: a Christian deputy for a Muslim governor, and vice versa, with Southern Kaduna traditionally holding the deputy slot. This arrangement was not a mere political formula; it was a reflection of our collective understanding that Kaduna’s diversity is our greatest strength. That tradition was broken in 2019 when the All Progressives Congress adopted a Muslim-Muslim ticket, a decision that left many communities feeling alienated and excluded. Governor Uba Sani’s decision to return to the Muslim-Christian ticket is therefore not just about politics, it is a statement that Kaduna belongs to all of us.

Governor Uba Sani has consistently demonstrated since assuming office on May 29, 2023, that his administration is for everyone, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation. He has worked tirelessly to heal old wounds, restore confidence in government, and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach every part of the state. Under his leadership, Kaduna has witnessed unprecedented investments in roads, schools, hospitals, agriculture, and rural development across all 23 local government areas. The governor has initiated 150 road projects covering more than 1,355 kilometres, with the majority already completed.

Jerry Adams, the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), brings to this ticket over three decades of experience in public administration, corporate leadership, and tax governance. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI), a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM), and a Chartered National Accountant (CNA). These are testament to a life dedicated to excellence, professionalism, and service to the people of Kaduna state.

Beyond his impressive professional accomplishments, Adams is a man of integrity with a resolute commitment to peace, reconciliation, and inclusive governance, believing, as Governor Sani does, that Kaduna’s diversity must always unite us rather than divide us. Adams hails from Kaura local government area of Southern Kaduna and holds the traditional title of Jagaban Moro’a, a man whom both Muslim and Christian communities hold in high esteem.

The restoration of this power equation is a decisive step towards consolidating the unity and reconciliation that our dear state desperately needs. Kaduna is a heterogeneous society, a rich tapestry of faiths, ethnicities, and cultures. Such diversity requires unity, understanding, and significant efforts at reconciliation. Governor Sani understands this profoundly. As he stated, “Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust, and exclusion. Yet, it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation, and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together”.

It is in this spirit that I address the reactionary elements who have chosen to castigate this historic decision out of sheer hypocrisy. These opposition figures, who wrap themselves in the cloak of religious piety, have been quick to condemn Governor Sani for picking a Christian running mate. Yet, in the very same breath, they refuse to acknowledge that the gubernatorial candidate they are supporting in their own party has also nominated a Christian as running mate. Who is fooling who? This glaring double exposure tells you that these opposition members, projecting religious sentiment for political gain, cannot separate wheat from the chaff.

Their hypocrisy is laid bare for all to see. They cry foul over religious balancing when it suits their narrative, yet they are silent when their own candidates engage in the very same practice. This is not about principle; it is about opportunism. It is about creating hatred and division where none should exist. The people of Kaduna are wiser than these manipulative tactics. We have seen through their charade, and we will not be swayed by those who use religion as a weapon to divide us.

Kaduna state has always served as a reference point to other states in Nigeria. From our educational institutions to our industrial base, from our cultural heritage to our political traditions, Kaduna has often led the way. The restoration of the Muslim-Christian governorship ticket reaffirms Kaduna’s position as a model of interfaith harmony and inclusive governance. When Kaduna gets it right, Nigeria takes notice. This power composition will intensify unity and collaboration across the state, sending a powerful message that no community will be left behind and no citizen will feel excluded.

The Sani administration has already laid the foundation for lasting peace. He has actively supported platforms that brought Christian and Muslim leaders together to jointly condemn violence and promote peaceful coexistence. His administration encouraged joint peace declarations, community prayers, and mediation efforts that sent a powerful message: Kaduna belongs to all, regardless of religion or ethnicity. This is governance with a human face, governance that understands that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, fairness, and equal opportunity.

 The choice of Jerry Adams also speaks to Governor Sani’s commitment to merit and competence. In nominating Adams, the governor has chosen a man who has transformed the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service into one of Nigeria’s most respected revenue agencies through innovation, transparency, and professionalism. Under Adams’ leadership, Kaduna has recorded sustained improvements in tax administration and revenue mobilisation, strengthening the state’s capacity to finance infrastructure, social services, and development programmes. This is a ticket built on performance, not patronage.

 As we look towards 2027, Governor Sani has invited every son and daughter of Kaduna state to see this moment not through the narrow prism of religion, ethnicity, or geography, but through the broader vision of the Kaduna we are building together, a Kaduna where every child can dream without fear, every community can flourish, every faith is respected, and every citizen has an equal stake in our common future. This is the vision that will carry the day.

The opposition, in their desperation, will continue to peddle division and hatred. But the people of Kaduna are not deceived. They have seen the difference between a governor who governs for all and politicians who govern for themselves. They have witnessed the transformation under Uba Sani, the roads, the schools, the hospitals, the return of farmers to their lands, the expansion of businesses, and the restoration of hope. They know which candidate represents their future.

May this power composition lead Governor Uba Sani and the APC to a landslide victory in the 2027 general election. May the people of Kaduna rise as one to endorse this ticket of unity, competence, and inclusive governance. And may this Kaduna July Declaration serve as a beacon of hope not just for our state, but for the entire nation that diversity is not a curse, but a blessing, and that when we choose inclusion over exclusion, we all win.

Governor Uba Sani’s nomination of Adams is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided his administration since he took the oath of office: inclusion, justice, fairness, equity, and the conviction that every citizen of Kaduna state deserves a genuine sense of belonging. This is the Kaduna we are building together. This is the Kaduna July Declaration. And this is the Kaduna that will lead Nigeria into a future of unity, peace, and prosperity for all.

Jabir T. Usman,

Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, 

Kaduna state 

[email protected]